The relationship between Donkin Mine and Nova Scotia Power appears to be heating up.

“We’ve been testing the washed product at Lingan Generating Station and are in negotiations with Kameron Colliery, who operates the mine, for a longer-term supply,” said NSP spokesperson Tiffany Chase.

Chase said both unwashed and washed coal from Donkin Mine have been tested and currently a third batch of the washed product is being tested to monitor its performance against operating and environmental standards.

“We need to assess the coal quality to monitor how it works with our equipment and ensure it doesn’t harm performance,” she said.

“Additionally, we have stringent environmental regulations that must be adhered to which ensure that any fuel burned does not exceed legislated caps on mercury, carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide emissions.”

Chase said they prefer to use local fuel supply when it’s economical to do so because it keeps money in the local economy and supports local jobs.

“Additionally, fuel cost savings are passed on to our customers which helps us to keep electricity rates stable and affordable.”

NSP has been testing Donkin Coal since the mine opened in 2015 beginning in a specialized combustion lab and then at the Lingan station. After the wash plant opened at the mine last fall, NSP began testing the washed coal.

NSP has four coal-fired power plants in the province.

The wash plant takes the raw coal and separates the pure coal from the rest. Gravity is used to separate the good coal from the washed material which could include stone, limestone or shale.

Processed Donkin coal product can be sold either as a low ash, high-energy thermal coal and/or as a high quality metallurgical coal.

In 2014 and early 2015, Cline Group LLC gained full control of the Donkin Mine after purchasing a 75 per cent majority stake in the operation from Glencore Xstrata PLC and 25 per cent interest from Morien Resources Corp. Production began at Donkin Mine on Feb. 27, 2017.

In an earlier news release from Morien Resources Corp., Kameron Collieries targeted production of approximately 350,000 to 450,000 tonnes of coal in 2017 and is aiming for 1.2 to 1.8 million tonnes in 2018, and 2.6-2.75 million tonnes of saleable coal in 2019, depending on the markets.

Coal production is being stockpiled on site and trucked and stockpiled at the Provincial Energy Ventures port in Sydney awaiting export.